Laxus. Mashima isn’t sure who’s stronger between the two and DF is already confirmed. An Laxus just put Kirin down with a wide Margin after his power up. Merc isn’t stronger than what Selene showed against Suzaku if we’re using the strongest he was shown in the manga. Suzaku won that, and he’s below Kirin. Stack his two new modes with that confirmed DF and I’m willing to give him the win over what Merc has demonstrated. An Brandish has shown she’ll support if it helps best a Dragon bc she realizes she’s useless. Laxus FTW then he drops her. Shoulda used Aldoron, he has all the minis that gotta be beat first, cause their actual parts of him.